Sibiu week

SIBIU WEEK

Sibiu week
The students from Sweden, Norway and Spain were accommodated in the Academic Centre of Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu. The teachers and staff members involved in the project booked their own accommodation in the city center of Sibiu. Most of the breakfasts were served in the accommodation place, therefore the logistics were optimal for the students. 

Before the actual start of the program, during the first night, the Romanian students met their colleagues (and soon to be friends) and went out for dinner. 

First day
On Monday the students received a small breakfast at their accommodation and were then picked up by LBUS bus and taken to the Faculty of Medicine, where the opening ceremony was about to take place. For the first part all the members of CRE8 had a proper breakfast and were happy to have a bit of time to catch up. 

After breakfast, the Opening Ceremony took place in the Senate Hall of LBUS, where one student from each country expressed their opinion about CRE8 project; Ximena, the manager of CRE8, Daniela Preda, CRE8 manager on behalf of LBUS and the Vice-Rector of LBUS also addressed the guests and the press members present at the opening. 

Next in the schedule was the visit of LBUS library, followed by a traditional lunch in LBUS canteen. 

After lunch, all CRE8 members split in teams and started what lead to be a wonderful afternoon: a treasure hunt-like city tour of Sibiu offered by Questo app (developed by one of LBUS alumni). 

The day ended with welcoming dinner organized in the Canteen of LBUS. 

Day 2 – First assignment

On Tuesday, the students had their first challenge: solving TransAgape’s task. TransAgape is a local bakery that was founded in 1994 and since that grew to be one of the main providers of flour-based products in Sibiu. 

From bread and bagels, to cookies and cakes or wheat and corn flour, TransAgape seeks to offer qualitative products to Sibiu’s market by developing a sustainable business. 

In a period when time is running fast and fast food chains become many times the easy option for a meal, TransAgape seeks to improve consumers’ lifestyle by offering healthy meal options. And, contributing to the creation of health and prosperous new generations is the first step in society development, children’s diet becomes an important aspect.

Having this in mind, TransAgape is planning to develop the “Back to school” kid’s package that will serve as a healthy breakfast option. The task that was given to the students: “What should the “Back to school” package contain and how should it be packed and designed in order for TransAgape to manage to create value for the new generation by providing a healthy meal? 

Day 3 – Cultural activities

Wednesday was a full day!  We started with a visit of the Faculty of Engineering, then the bus took us to visit TransAgape company – yesterday’s task owner. The students were happy to see each step of the production process and ended up modeling and baking their own products. Afterwards, a visit of the Faculty of Sciences and lunch took place, followed by a visit of Astra Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization. In the afternoon we departed to Paltinis, a mountain resort where LBUS has an education center. The night ended barbequing and socializing. 

Day 4 Second – assignment
Thursday morning the students and staff woke up breathing the fresh air of the mountains, prepared for a new challenge. Hug The Mug is a local coffee shop with an offering focused on specialized coffee served for to go. Launched at the end of 2015 at the initiative of two young entrepreneurs, the company grew and, in 2016, a new point of sales was opened. In a developing market, the founders felt there was more to explore and in 2018, the company diversified through Hug The Plate, a brunch restaurant. This way, the company managed to use its know-how and expertise for preparing specialized coffee as a complementary product for the breakfast and brunch offering.
One of the biggest struggles for Hug the Plate is recruiting and retaining employees. We would like our employees to trust that their efforts will contribute to the development of the company; we would like them to be more aware of the importance of their role in the company and of its impact at a larger scale, and this way to be more involved together in achieving results for the common good.
The task given to the students: How can Hug the Plate be the most valuable employer to their employees?
The day ended back in Sibiu, with a dinner at Hug the Plate. 

Day 5 – summing up

The entire cohort met up at the Academic Centre of LBUS, where the students were accommodated, an evaluation of the week was done and feedback was given. Everybody said another round of goodbyes, looking forward to next meeting in Spain.